For our second to last Summer Reading blog post, we consulted a familiar face from the Pitts Reference and Circulation desks, and occasionally in your classroom! Sarah Bogue, Head of Research and Access Services, coordinates the busy service points of the library, conducts research consultations for both students and faculty, delivers instructional sessions in a variety of contexts, and more! Sarah provided a variety of suggestions that touch on theology, racial justice, fantasy, and modern storytelling.
First, Sarah recommends Everything Happens for a Reason and Other Lies I’ve Loved (Random House, 2018) by Duke Divinity School Professor, Kate Bowler. In this memoir, Bowler discusses her battle with cancer and how she confronts her own deeply held theological beliefs in the ultimate “fairness” of things. Bowler’s work allows readers to join her quest to make sense of senseless things, which ultimately requires a fundamental reshaping of her faith. Borrow this book from the Woodruff Library’s Popular Reading McNaughton collection, or read it online!
Sarah’s second must-read is I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness (Convergent Books, 2018) by Austin Channing Brown. This deeply personal story is a window into the countless ways that systemic racism impacted Brown—moving from her childhood, to her educational experiences, work experiences, and experiences in the church. This poignant account from a powerful new voice on racial justice is available through Emory online.
Walk the line between theology, science fiction, and fantasy with Sarah’s next suggestion, The Broken Earth Trilogy (Orbit, 2017) by N.K. Jemison. In this NYT bestselling and three-time Hugo award-winning series, master storyteller and prolific author Jemison creates an apocalyptic world of orogenes, beings with the ability to control geophysics with their minds. Emory provides online access to each book in this series.
Finally, Sarah recommends Cutting for Stone: A Novel by Abraham Verghese (Knopf, 2009). This book follows twins born in 1950s Ethiopia, tracking their wildly divergent and yet somehow connected lives. Sarah warns that “you’ll need tissues” reading this unforgettable story of love and betrayal, medicine and ordinary miracles. Borrow this book from the Woodruff Library before the summer comes to a close!
Next week we’ll wrap up our Summer Reading series with recommendations from Pitts’ new Stacks and Circulation Specialist, Yasmine Green!